Vilagrad Winery fires back into life

If overcoming adversity is a typically Waikato trait, then the Nooyen family personify it. The family behind the 100-year-old Vilagrad Winery could hardly be blamed for being tempted to throw in the towel after fire tore through the Rukuhia Rd business in June. The blaze destroyed the winery offices, kitchen, and parts of the 100-year-old wine cellar. It could have been a killing blow and yet – true to their bold predictions made just a day after the disaster – the family have just resumed operations with the first of their regular grand Sunday lunches, three months and 10 days later.